What is Security Council Resolution 1701? — Global issues

The discussions come amid escalating assaults between Israel and Hezbollah.

This is what that you must know in regards to the essential decision that has been the linchpin of peace between Israel and Lebanon for practically twenty years, and the ten,000 U.N. peacekeepers liable for implementing it on the bottom.

Council takes motion to cease struggle

Decision 1701, adopted unanimously in 2006, stays geared toward ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, and the Safety Council referred to as for a everlasting ceasefire primarily based on the institution of a buffer zone.

Beneath the decision, the Council determined to take measures to make sure peace, together with authorizing a rise within the energy of the United Nations Interim Drive in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to as much as 15,000 troops to watch the cessation of hostilities and assist Lebanon as Israel withdraws its troops from southern Lebanon armed forces and make sure the secure return of displaced individuals.

The United Nations mission can even proceed to implement its yearly renewed mandate established by the Safety Council in 1978.

What are the primary phrases of the decision?

Key components of the 19-paragraph decision embrace the Council’s name for a complete cessation of hostilities, particularly on the premise of a right away cessation of all assaults by Hezbollah and a right away cessation of all offensive navy operations by Israel.

The decision calls on Israel and Lebanon to assist a everlasting ceasefire and a long-term answer primarily based on the next ideas and components:

• Totally implement the Taif Settlement and the related provisions of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), which require the disarmament of all armed teams in Lebanon in order that there are not any extra weapons or authorities exterior the Lebanese state
• International troops aren’t allowed to enter Lebanon with out authorities consent
• Weapons and associated materiel is probably not bought or provided to Lebanon with out authorization from the Lebanese authorities
• Present the United Nations with maps of all remaining Israeli-owned mines in Lebanon
• The events totally respect the Blue Line and safety preparations to forestall a resumption of hostilities, together with the institution of a zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River freed from armed personnel, property and weapons aside from these of the Lebanese authorities and UNIFIL

Watch a 60-second video commentary of UNIFIL on the Blue Line right here.

What’s the blue line?

The so-called “Blue Line” stretches 120 kilometers alongside Lebanon’s southern border and Israel’s northern border and is “the important thing to peace within the area” and one of many core components of Decision 1701 for the reason that 2006 struggle, wherein UNIFIL peacekeepers are Core element of the road.

In keeping with numerous historic maps, a few of which date again practically a century, the Blue Line isn’t a border however a brief “withdrawal line” set by the United Nations in 2000 with the precise goal of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

At any time when the Israeli or Lebanese authorities want to conduct any actions close to the Blue Line, UNIFIL requires them to supply advance discover in order that the UN mission can preserve authorities knowledgeable of the scenario to attenuate any misunderstandings that would result in heightened tensions.

UN Peacekeeping explains the Blue Line additional right here.

How is Decision 1701 carried out?

In keeping with the provisions of United Nations peacekeeping operations, the precise path of the longer term border will finally be decided by Israel and Lebanon, whereas UNIFIL is tasked with guaranteeing full respect for and stopping violations of the related provisions of Decision 1701.

“Crossing the Blue Line by any celebration constitutes a violation of UN Safety Council Decision 1701, and as UNIFIL we deal with all violations in the identical method,” the UN peacekeeping mission stated.

UNIFIL screens the Blue Line, together with the airspace above it, and prevents violations by coordination, liaison and patrols, and stories all violations to the Safety Council. The Safety Council requested that the implementation of decision 1701 proceed to be reported each 4 months.

At any time when an incident happens on the Blue Line, UNIFIL will instantly deploy extra troops to the situation if essential to keep away from direct battle between the 2 sides and be certain that the scenario is underneath management. On the similar time, it liaised with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Protection Forces to reverse and finish the scenario and keep away from escalation.

Present scenario on the bottom

Almost a 12 months after Hamas-led Israeli assaults killed greater than 1,000 folks and took one other 250 hostage in Gaza, the continued struggle has led to a humanitarian disaster and casualties brought on by Israeli navy operations. On that day, there have been practically 42,000 folks, greater than 200 humanitarian staff and practically 200 journalists.

Whereas Hezbollah instructed the media that its assaults on Israel have been to precise solidarity with Palestinians going through this devastating struggle, Israeli armed forces have retaliated in flip, together with airstrikes deep in Lebanon, booby-trapped pager assaults and now floor incursions, lately displacing greater than 10 Palestinians. Media stories point out that ongoing violence has displaced roughly 60,000 folks in northern Israel.

In keeping with a letter from the UN Secretary-Basic to the Safety Council in late July, the continued trade of fireside on each side of the Blue Line since October 8, 2023 has repeatedly violated the cessation of hostilities and violated Decision 1701.

Between 8 October 2023 and 30 June 2024, UNIFIL detected 15,101 tracks, of which 12,459 have been blue traces from south to north and a pair of,642 have been tracks from north to south. Whereas most exchanges have been restricted to a couple kilometers on both facet of the Blue Line, a number of assaults have penetrated so far as 130 kilometers into Lebanon and 30 kilometers into Israel.

What now?

On September 30, the Israel Protection Forces notified UNIFIL of their intention to conduct a restricted floor invasion of Lebanon, in response to an announcement issued by the United Nations mission on Tuesday.

Decision 1701 is the one viable answer to revive stability to the area

“Regardless of harmful developments, peacekeepers stay at their posts,” UNIFIL stated. “We often modify our posture and actions, and we’ve got contingency plans able to be activated if completely crucial.”

The UN mission reiterates that the protection and safety of peacekeepers is of paramount significance and reminds all actors of their obligation to respect this. Presently, UNIFIL continues to employees its bases and carry out some duties. Presently, they aren’t capable of conduct car patrols.

Israel has reportedly ordered civilians to evacuate some villages within the space. On the similar time, the United Nations reiterated that civilian lives should be protected whether or not they keep or depart.

“Any cross-border motion into Lebanon violates Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity and violates decision 1701,” UNIFIL stated. “We urge all actors to stop this escalation, which is able to solely result in extra violence and Bloodshed. The value of constant the present plan of action is simply too excessive.

UNIFIL acknowledged that civilians should be protected, civilian infrastructure should not be focused, and worldwide legislation should be revered. “We strongly urge all events to recommit themselves to complying with Safety Council resolutions and Decision 1701 as the one possible method to restore stability within the area,” UNIFIL stated. answer.

Can UNIFIL use drive?

Sure, in some circumstances.

UNIFIL is a peacekeeping mission working underneath Chapter VI of the United Nations Constitution, which is renewed yearly by the Safety Council on the request of Lebanon.

UNIFIL personnel could train their inherent proper to self-defence whereas performing their duties. Along with using drive aside from in self-defence, UNIFIL can also use drive proportionately and progressively underneath sure circumstances and situations to:

• Be sure that their space of ​​operations isn’t used for hostile actions
• Resist makes an attempt to make use of drive to forestall UNIFIL from fulfilling its obligations underneath the mandate mandated by the Safety Council
• Safety of United Nations personnel, amenities, installations and tools
• Guarantee the protection and freedom of motion of United Nations personnel and humanitarian staff
• Defending civilians going through imminent menace of bodily violence

Learn the total textual content of Decision 1701 right here.